Sreeja Akula to miss WTT Star Contender in Chennai

Sreeja Akula, India’s top-ranked paddler in the world at 41, will not play the WTT Star Contender to be held at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University campus in Chennai from February 10 to 15, due to (right) shoulder pain.

Speaking to Sportstar on Tuesday from Hyderabad, the 27-year-old said she wanted to play in Chennai, but didn’t want to put unnecessary pressure on her shoulder. “I didn’t want to be too harsh on my shoulder. I wanted it to heal gradually,” she said.

Sreeja last played the China Smash in Beijing in September-October 2025, where she lost 0-3 to to China’s Wang Yidi in the second round, after which she started to experience pain.

“I just started practicing a few days back. I am not using my forehand for training. I plan to get back to action with the Singapore Smash from February 19 to March 1,” she said.

Published on Jan 27, 2026